Saturday, December 29, 2007

Sunday Morning Facility?

At the Christmas party we discussed “future facility opportunities” and wanted to give a recap. Most of you are well aware that we are very intentional in protecting our “Foyer Environments (Sunday worship experience)” at ridge church to make them guest friendly. We are very careful in what information we present, how we present information, and who we present information to. We want to continue to make this a safe place for you to bring your un-churched and formerly churched friends.￼This is a recap of some of the information and opportunity I shared with many of you at our Christmas Party:

Sunday Morning?As you know our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We feel like making the move to become a Sunday morning church is our number one priority currently because of the impact that it can and will have on the long term success of our mission. We have been fortunate to have an amazing amount of success meeting on Sunday nights, but we all know that it is not the optimal time to meet long term...especially for families with small children (amazingly we had almost 50 children at our last worship gathering in spite of the less than optimal night meeting).

Possible Facility?Unfortunately, Adam and I have become quite the “professional facility hunters” in the last year searching out at least 45 facilities to no avail. We are currently looking at a recently available 21,000 square foot furniture store. It is less than three miles from our current meeting location. We are negotiating with the owner currently and all of the initial communication, including the walkthrough with the architect have been very positive.

Is this our Destiny?Honestly, I don’t think any facility will ever be our destiny. Our destination maybe, but not our destiny. Plain and simple, people are our mission. From day one, this church has been about leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus and that will never change. We will never be defined by where we meet, but instead by who we reach. But, if this facility is part of “God’s plan” that will enable us to move to Sunday mornings, and step into our “mission” with a new and increased opportunity to influence people then I want us to pursue it with passion and commitment.

What will it take?I’m glad you asked! We need you to fully embrace the vision and mission of Ridge Church and place your shoulders under this church. In short we need 45 people to commit to percentage giving at Ridge Church in order for us this young church (11 public services young) to continue to move toward this facility with confidence. What we are considering is well within our reach but not without your help! This would be a 24 hour facility (No load in and load out!), and among other benefits would also enable us to move to Sunday morning. We need to make a counter offer to the owner very soon. Will you pray and consider becoming a percentage giver to Ridge Church this year and let us know how you will participate in this incredible opportunity? Please feel invited not obligated to participate with us in this! If you do decide to partner with us you can let us know your decision by dropping a commitment card in the mail or by signing up online (takes two minutes!). Join us as a “Vision Partner”. We need to make a counter offer to the owner of the facility as soon as possible. Please remember that facilities come and go, but when a person’s life is changed by Jesus it is “forever”...people are our mission not facilities!

**This is an exciting and incredible opportunity, and I want to thank you in advance for becoming “vision partners” with ridge church. We look forward to what the future holds for Ridge Church...to the lives that will be changed! I believe God has great plans for this city and we have the unique opportunity to be in rhythm with what God is doing.